Veterans' advocate Jack Bishop to receive award

John "Jack" Bishop will be honored at the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce annual Community Awards Banquet on Tuesday, October 15 at Lukan’s Farm Resort.

Jack will receive the 2013 Community Achievement Award.

Through the years, Jack has given freely of his time in service to others in the community. His contributions to local organizations and individuals are many. Having served his Country honorably with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam, Jack has long been involved with Veterans Service Organizations. He has supported our veterans through his work with Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion.

Other organizations have benefited from Jack’s involvement including; the Honesdale Memorial Day Services and Parade Committee, Pocono Counties Workforce Investment Board, Wayne County School to Work Committee and the Carl Perkins Local Advisory Committee to Wayne Highlands and Wallenpaupack Area School Districts. Jack was instrumental in launching the Communities that Care program and has been involved with the Honesdale Little League and St. John’s Pre-Cana Team where he serves with his wife, Mary Jo. Jack served on Honesdale Borough Council for eight years.

In addition to his overall involvement with his community, Jack devoted much of his professional life to education. He began his career as a Special Education teacher with NEIU#19 in the Wayne Highlands School District. He went on to become principal of the Lourdesmont School for children with emotional, social and/or behavioral concerns. After 31 years of working with our youth, Jack changed careers to work for another 12 years with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry as the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Representative. He also worked as the Veterans Employment Representative and Employment Interviewer. Jack has clearly spent his lifetime serving others both professionally and personally.

Marie McDonnell, director of Wayne County Employment and Training, stated "Working with the Veterans Service Organizations, Jack would find shelter for the homeless veterans and often times give that person a few dollars from his own pocket to buy a meal. Definitely, Jack is an inspiration to others and most deserving of this award."

Jack met his wife Mary Jo when he was home on-leave and they have been married for 43 years. Jack and Mary Jo have two children, Mary Jude or "MJ" who is married with two children and lives in New Jersey and Tony, who lives in Honesdale. Mary Jo is a Nurse Practitioner with Wayne Memorial Community Health Center and works at the Lake Como location.

Jack enjoys hunting and is a member of the Fox Ridge Hunting Club. Having recently retired, he claims he is now working on all the projects that he has let go over the years and is trying to "get the hang" of having time off. Jack has recently found great joy by giving freely of his time once again, yet now much of that time is spent enjoying his grandchildren.

Page 2 of 2 - Lukan's Farm Resort is located on Long Ridge Road, Palmyra Township (Wayne), near Hawley. For tickets, congratulatory ads and additional information please call the Chamber at (570) 253-1960.